Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
The December meeting for the Sacred Heart Men's Club will be on Tuesday, December 12 at 5:00 p.m. in the Lower Hall. Members wives or invited guests are welcome to attend. Dues remain $15 and new name badges are available for $10. The Divine Mercy Chaplet will take place at 5:00 p.m. in the Lower Hall followed by social time. The Refreshment Center will open upon the Chaplet's completion. The 6:00 p.m. dinner, by Chef Johnna, is Beef Bourguignon, smashed potatoes, roasted asparagus w/lemon butter, steamed broccoli, salad w/champaign vinaigrette, rolls and for dessert Red Velvet Cake w/chocolate mousse and Chantilly mint cream parfait. The meal cost is $20. The program for the night will be guest speaker Kathy Sanders who will share her Oklahoma experience, and our famous chorus of the "Twelve Days of Christmas." Please call 501-922-1767 or email your meal reservation to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 5:00 p.m. Sunday, December 10. If you cancel after the meal reservation deadline you are still responsible for the cost.


How do you "show up" at Mass? Ponder your appreciation, reverence, openness to grace vulnerability and attentiveness. Each of us has work to do to fully participate! Bring your whole self, fully committed and participating. Place your whole life on the altar as Christ gave his whole self for us.

Holy Hour resumes this Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Invite a friend or neighbor and join us in prayer and reconciliation during this hour of Divine Mercy.


"It (the Eucharist) is the center of existence for me, all the rest of life is expendable." Flannery O'Connor, american Author, 1925-1964.

Thanks be to God and to those who answered the call that allows us to return to Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration! We will continue to need subs over the Christmas holidays. Please check the calendar if you are able to help.
Kathleen Witchger would like to thank the many card senders and visitors during her recent knee surgery and rehab. Especially Fr Bill's visits that were very much appreciated!
Looking for something meaningful to study during Advent? Don't forget several series which are available on FORMED for the Eucharistic Revival. "Jesus and the Eucharist" is a seven session series that explores the story of salvation as told through scripture. You may also enjoy joining Dr Tim Gray on his exciting five part series about Jesus' teaching on the Eucharist entitled "Bread of Life". Not registered yet? Go to www.FORMED.org to register for your free subscription.
With the coming of Christmas, you have already seen an increase in shopping, decorating and parties. Formed invites you to slow down and take a few minutes daily to remember who this season is all about--Jesus. This is the season meant to take the days of Advent seriously and make a change. Slow down and visit Formed and join Fr John Burns in his guided Advent journey, "Adore:Advent." He will focus on a new theme weekly that you can relate to your life. If you aren't subscribed, go to www.FORMED.org to register for your free subscription.
The Sacred Heart Singles Ministry is open to all who are alone during this time in their lives. Sign up to join us for one or more of the following activities. The sign up sheets are in the SINGLES book located on the cabinet across from the elevator in the Narthex.
  • December 10 No Social Sunday this month
  • December 14 Singles Christmas Party. Tickets are $15. Contact Debbie or Susan no later than Monday, December 11 for arrangements. Dinner catered by Chef Johnna with Fr Bill's ice cream for dessert.
  • December 25 Join our church family for Christmas Dinner. More info to come
Weekly Wednesday card games at 1:00 p.m. in the Upper Hall and Social Sunday on the 2nd Sunday of the month, 3:00 p.m. Upper Hall. Contact Debbie or Susan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to add your name and email for upcoming events or with questions.
This Friday, December 8, the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary's Immaculate Conception and its significance in God's plan of sa.vation for the world. As it is a Holy Day of Obligation (we must participate in Mass under the consequence of mortal sin if we don't). Masses will be Thursday, December 7 at 4:00 p.m. and Friday December 8 at 9:00 a.m.
The December 5 Coucil meeting will take place in the Lower Hall starting with the Rosary at 5:00 p.m. Our meal of pork loin, mashed potatoes and coarrots with a cookie for dessert will be prepared by Home Plate at a cost of $15. Guest speakers include Daniel Ellis (KofC Representative-Insurance & Finance). Council members have already received our standard sign-in sheet. See you then!
The LOSH Bake Sale will be on Saturday & Sunday, December 16/17. The sale is open to the public December 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We will also be selling all goods before and after all Masses that weekend. Packaging and pricing of the baked goods is Friday, December 15 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in Classroom C. All pairshioners are welcome to support LOSH by baking. Please call Patti Sheppard at 501-984-3454 with questions.
The Health Ministry of Sacred Heart would like to invite you to the church (Classrooms A & B) on December 6 at 3:30 p.m. to join for "Brain Health & the Importance of Lifelong Learning" presented by the Donald W Reynolds Institute on Aging?UAMS. With questions, call Mary Ann Dale 240-298-1216.
We are blessed to have the following serving on the Pastoral Council based on the recent election:

Deb Troxel--Education Commission
Marian LaVelle--Liturgy Commission
Marge Newburn--Social Justice & Charitable Outreach Commission


Since there were no candidates for the Parish Life Commission so Fr Elser appointed Becky Jordon to serve. As Pastoral  Council members, they join Sandy Darnell, Rose Harrigan, Mark Leslie and Pietro Tomassi in offering council to the Pastor on matters of importance to the parish. The members' name and phone numbers are listed in the bulletin to welcome input from parishioners in the ministries.
Beginning December 4 at 1:00 p.m. we're offering a 12 week Bible study unlocking our understanding of Mary's role in Salvation History.  Based on a study by Dr Scott Hahn and narrated by Matthew Leonard, these www.FORMED.org videos address how Our Mother is foreshadowed in the Old Testament which truly explains her relevance to our faith.  The study also includes our Tradition: the crowning of Mary, the Assumption and Church approved apparitions.

There is NO COST, NO HOMEWORK and no commitment (during this busy time) for this program. The videos run 20-30 minutes with time for questions and discussions.  Please sign-up on the sheet in the Narthex this and next weekend.  With questions or for more information contact Paula Doyle at 501-922-25771 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Linda Durrett at 972-768-1574 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Applications are being accepted for the follwing: 1st grade teacher and food service worker. Contact Jennifer Elder at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 501-624-3171.
Last year we implemented a sign-out as you selected Angels to purchase Christmas gifts for local children. This registration helps our volunteers track down any unreturned gifts. This year, we will sign out the Angels online. When you select your Angel from the tree before or after Mass on the weekends of November 18/19 and 25/26, volunteers will be available to help you sign out your Angel. If you are selecting an Angel when volunteers aren't present, you can access the online form or there will be paper forms available for you to register your Angel(s).

Online Registration:

  • Access the form via the URL link or QR code that will be posted by the tree.
  • Enter your first & last name and phone number
  • Enter the Family Letter, Child Number and Gift Number from your tag
  • IF you have selected 2 Angels, enter the tag information on the same form
  • IF you select 3 or more Angels, you will need to fill out a second form
  • This can be done on a smart phone, tablet or laptop

Planning ahead for your summer vacation? Consider a holy pilgrimage to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis July 17-21. Details of the incredible lineup of speakers and registration details are at www.eucharisticcongress.org. There are various ways to save on registration. Call Deb Troxel at 515-240-6729 to learn more or if interested in group travel.

Join us for Holy Hour this Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Invite a friend or neighbor and join us in prayer and reconciliation during this hour of Divine Mercy.

Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration
"God invites us to know Him in mysterious ways. What matters isn't that we grasp why. What matters is whether or not we say yes. There is no more powerful way to do that than to turn to Him in the Eucharist."--Sr Helena Burns, Beautiful Eucharist.

Please continue to check the PEA calendar for holiday absences. ONe or more could be the gift of a peaceful hour with Jesus.
"For in the warmth of His presence, our lives change. Without Him, everything would truly be gray. Adoring the Body & Blood of Christ, let us ask Him with our heart: Lord give me the daily bread to go forward, Lord satisfy me with your presence."

Wamt to go deeper? Need help discerning God's presence in your life? WE are blessed to have 2 Spiritual Directors in our parish, Deb Troxel and Cherry Schwulst, available to accompany you on your journey. The parish ofice will put you in touch with one of these ladies.

There will be no Holy Hour this Sunday due to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration

During this holiday season, please check the PEA calendar weekly for hours requiring subs due to travel or call or text Kathy Clark at 203-816-7737 if you would like to sub.